BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The residents of Mankayane have been described as civilized people, who know how to behave during big national occasions such as the King’s Birthday.
This was said by Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini today during the interview with Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show. Dlamini said during the King’s Birthday last Friday in Mankayane, there was no noise and there were no reports of people who were arrested for misbehaving.
He said people were peaceful and jubilant from the start of the event until the end. According to Dlamini, even during the time for eating, the people of Mankayane displayed civilisation of the highest order. They did not cause any stampede, rushing to be the first to get food because they knew that everyone would eventually get the food.
Dlamini said Minister for Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe was thankful to the people of that town and surrounding chiefdoms, who fully embraced the event and understood that it was theirs. Dlamini said even His Majesty King Mswati III stated when delivering his speech during the event that when the King’s Birthday was in Mankayane, it was meant for the people from that town and surrounding areas to own the event and embrace it.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ mouthpiece said this was shown by the attendance of the residence of those areas, who came out in their numbers to be part of the celebrations. He said even during the performances, it showed that the people of Mankayane went all out to showcase their skills. He singled out the Lushikishini Cultural Group from Mankayane for having given a sterling performance during the event.
He said what was interesting was that the group was led by Mkhulu Shongwe, who was 80 years old, but was able to dance like a teenage, much to the delight and applause of the members of the public who attended the event. He also thanked residents of the entire Manzini Region for also making an immense contribution in the performances. He thanked the Manzini Region chiefs for their commitment, saying they also showed the members of the public how such events were embraced.
